FREE WORD CARDS
Forbidden words game list: 48 cards to play tonight
Here are 48 ready-made cards for a forbidden-word guessing game. Each card has a word to describe and four words you can’t say while describing it. Read them off a phone or copy them onto paper, split into two teams and you’re playing.
How to play with this list
- Split into two teams. Each turn, one player describes and their teammates shout guesses.
- Someone from the other team holds the list, shows the describer one card and watches the forbidden words.
- Describe the word without saying it, any part of it, or any of the four words under it. Gestures are fine.
- A correct guess is 1 point and you move to the next card. Saying a forbidden word means the card is lost; passing is allowed.
- Play 60-second turns and swap teams. After a few rounds each, the higher score wins.
Easy starters
Good first cards, and fine for kids.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Snowman | snow, winter, carrot, cold |
| Rainbow | colors, rain, sky, arch |
| Pirate | ship, treasure, parrot, eye patch |
| Sandcastle | beach, sand, bucket, build |
| Dinosaur | extinct, fossil, T. rex, big |
| Bubble | soap, blow, float, pop |
| Superhero | cape, powers, save, villain |
| Birthday | cake, candles, party, age |
Around the house
Everyday things everyone has touched.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Mirror | reflection, glass, look, bathroom |
| Blanket | bed, warm, sleep, cover |
| Candle | wax, flame, light, wick |
| Microwave | heat, kitchen, oven, beep |
| Ladder | climb, steps, tall, rungs |
| Doormat | feet, wipe, welcome, door |
| Laundry basket | clothes, dirty, wash, carry |
| Houseplant | green, water, pot, leaves |
Jobs and people
Act it out if the words run dry.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | fire, truck, hose, rescue |
| Dentist | teeth, drill, mouth, cavity |
| Librarian | books, quiet, borrow, shelf |
| Chef | cook, kitchen, restaurant, hat |
| Pilot | plane, fly, cockpit, captain |
| Mail carrier | letters, deliver, package, mailbox |
| Lifeguard | pool, beach, swim, whistle |
| Magician | tricks, rabbit, hat, wand |
Animals
Sounds and movements are allowed; the banned words are not.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Penguin | bird, ice, black and white, waddle |
| Giraffe | neck, tall, spots, Africa |
| Octopus | eight, arms, ink, sea |
| Kangaroo | jump, pouch, Australia, baby |
| Owl | night, hoot, bird, wise |
| Bee | honey, sting, buzz, flower |
| Snail | slow, shell, slime, garden |
| Peacock | feathers, tail, bird, colorful |
Out in the world
Places and sights outside the front door.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Volcano | lava, erupt, mountain, hot |
| Traffic light | red, green, stop, car |
| Bridge | river, cross, over, build |
| Castle | king, queen, tower, old |
| Parking lot | car, space, park, ticket |
| Fireworks | sky, bang, celebrate, night |
| Playground | swing, slide, kids, park |
| Rain boots | rain, puddle, feet, rubber |
Tricky ones
Ideas and feelings. Save these for a warmed-up table.
| Word | Don’t say |
|---|---|
| Homesick | home, miss, away, sad |
| Shortcut | fast, way, route, quick |
| Daydream | sleep, imagine, think, awake |
| Procrastinate | later, delay, put off, tomorrow |
| Surprise party | birthday, secret, shout, hide |
| Hiccup | breath, sound, stop, water |
| Echo | repeat, sound, voice, cave |
| Jet lag | tired, time zone, flight, sleep |
Writing your own cards
- Pick a word most of the room can guess in under ten seconds when nothing is banned. If it needs a dictionary, it is too hard.
- Ban the first three or four clues anyone would reach for. For “Penguin” that is bird, ice and black and white.
- Mix easy and tricky cards so a slow turn doesn’t sink a whole team.
- Inside jokes make great cards: a coworker’s favorite snack, a family trip, the office printer.
- For kids, ban two words instead of four and allow sound effects.
Rather not hold a list?
Describe & Guess runs the same kind of game on everyone’s phones. Only the describer and the referee from the other team see each card, the timer and score run themselves, and a forbidden-word mode adds three banned words to every card. It’s free for 4–12 players with no signup; each person needs their own connected phone, and you play in the same room, since there’s no built-in voice. The game has its own 100-card deck in English and Chinese, separate from this list, so nobody gets a head start from reading this page.
Play Describe & Guess ↗ Read the full rules · More party games ↗